Church of San Girolamo in Polizzi Generosa
The Church of San Girolamo in Polizzi Generosa annexed to the ancient Jesuit convent, now the seat of the Municipality, the Municipal Library and the Civic Archaeological Museum, has an imposing architectural structure that it occupies an entire block.
It was built, together with the adjoining convent, between 1681 and 1730 at the behest of Fra 'Girolamo Mistretta based on a design by Fra' Angelo Italia and was the only seat in the entire territory of the Order dei Padri Gesuiti.
On the main façade of the church it is possible to admire the portal , a masterpiece of Baroque art, attributed to "Maestri Capidici" on a probable project by the Jesuit Angelo Italy. The portal has on the terminal part the shell with San Girolamo and lower down the coat of arms of Girolamo Mistretta. On the sides it is embellished with saints, scrolls, flowers and other elements typical of the Baroque style.
The church has a Greek cross architectural plan on which a large dome with an octagonal base is set, covered by a high buttressed drum at the top, ending with a lantern. The chapels are arranged around the large central room, joined by a wide continuous cornice for the entire perimeter and paths recreated between the external wall and the supporting pillars of the large central dome.
Among the works kept in the church, noteworthy are the Lamentation over the dead Christ with Saints Sebastian and Catherine of Alexandria dating back to the third decade of the 16th century attributed to Johannes de Matta; the Madonna and Child referred to Giandomenico Gagini from 1557.
